Articulated flag construction

ABSTRACT

An articulated flag construction comprising a mobilelike assembly of rectangular planar members interconnected independently or through interconnection with other similar rectangular members to a horizontally positioned main support member, by means of linkages permitting relative rotational and/or orbital movement therebetween, each of said planar members including a pair of oppositely disposed surfaces having a matching portion of a flag thereon, said planar members, when in coplanar relation forming a substantially continuous display area.

[45] Feb. 29, 1972 United States Patent Lorch [54] ARTICULATED FLAG CONSTRUCTION 3/1943 Monteleone...........................40/2l8 [72] wem @egggfxlerg'lqffsss Lafayette P'" Primary Examiner-Robert wMicheu Ju|y20,197o

Assistant Examiner-Wenceslao J. Contreras Attorney-Charles E. Temko [22] Filed:

ABSTRACT [2l] Appl. No.: 56,448

elike as- Patented Feb. 29, 1972 3,645,026

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mi 'fn" um f ,1* MM ARTICULATED FLAG CONSTRUCTION This invention relates generally to the f'ield of flags, and more particularly to an improved mobilelike assembly of individual components, which when hung for relative movement about parallel vertical axes, gives the impression of a flag flying in a breeze.

It is among the principal objects of the present invention to provide a novel flag construction which may be used indoors as a decorative work of art.

Another object of the invention lies in the provision of an articulated rigid flag construction, in which individual components thereof are mounted for movement in different cornbinations of planar motion to create an interesting effect upon a viewer.

Another of the objects of the present invention lies in the provision of ari improved flag construction in which the cost-of fabrication may be of a reasonably low order thereby afford-l ing consequent wide sale, distribution and use.

A feature of the invention lies in the fact that it may be utilized in conjunction with the flags of many nations, organizations, and the like.

Another feature of the disclosed embodiment lies in the fact that it may be fabricated using a wide variety of relatively rigid materials.

These objects and features, as well as other incidental ends and advantages, will more fully appear in the progress of this disclosure, and be pointed out in the appended claims.

In the drawings, to which reference will be made in the specification, similar reference characters have been employed to designate corresponding parts throughout theV several views.

FIG. l is a view in perspective of an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 2 is a view in elevation thereof, with all of the cornponent parts in relative coplanar arrangement.

In accordance with the invention, the device, generally indicated by reference character l0, comprises broadly: a main vertical support member ll, a main horizontal support member 12, a plurality of supplementary vertical support members 13, and a plurality of flag-forming members 14.

The main vertical support member ll is preferably in the form of an elongated wire or steel rod, having an upper end 16 adapted to be fastened to the ceiling of a room, or other support (not shown). The lower end 17 thereof is interconnected to the medial point 18 of the main horizontal support member 12, preferably in such a manner as to permit a degree of sliding adjustment thereon, so that the entire device may be maintained in balance. The support member l2 is preferably in the form of a metallic tube or pipe having f'irst and second ends 20 and 21, respectively, spaced apart a distance approximately equal to the width ofthe flag.

The supplementary vertical support members 13 are of varying lengths, each including an upper end 22 intercorrnected to the main support member l2, and a lower end 23 interconnected either with a member 14, or an abbreviated supplemental horizontally disposed support member l5. Other members 13 are in tum interconnected with the lower edge of a member-` 14, or an end of a member 15. Pendant from the main support member l2 is a simulated flag pole 26, which may be optionally omitted. The upper end 27 is supported by a member 13, so as to be on a level with the upper edge of an uppermost adjacent member 14.

The members 14 are all of generally rectangular configuration, so as to form a substantially continuous display area when placed in coplanar position (see FIG. 2). In'the case of an American flag, there may be provided a plurality of fieldforming members 28, and a separate plurality of stripe-forming members 29. The former are most conveniently formed as vertically elongated shapes, each including an upper horizontal edge 30, a lower horizontal edge 31, and side edges 32. The

Certain of the field forming members 28, indicated by reference character 34, are mounted on short vertical supports 35'which in turn are connected to short horizontal support members 36, in turn interconnected by short vertical support members 37 to a horizontal support member 38, whereby certain of the members 34 capable of rotational movement about their own vertical axes, as well as orbital movement about the vertical supports 37. Further orbital movement is possible, owing to the fact that the horizontal support 38 is in itself mounted for rotational movement about a vertical axis.

The stripe-forming members 29 are preferably somewhat larger in total area, and are assembled in a manner similar to that above described. A smaller sized group, generally in dicated by reference character 40 is preferably positioned adjacent the fieldforming members 28, while a larger sized group 41 comprises the bulk of the area ofthe striped portion of the flag. Each of the members 40-41 includes an upper horizontal edge 42, a lower horizontal edge 43, and a pair of side edges 44. An upper group positioned on the level of the field-forming-members, and indicated by reference character 46 is preferably mounted independently of a corresponding lower group 47. Each of the stripe forming members 29 includes opposed surfaces carrying both red stripes 49 and white stripes S0, corresponding in number to those normally opposite the starred field.

When the device l0 is suspended for use, as shown in FIG. l, movement of the individual field fomiing and striped members can be enhanced by directing a current of air against the device having a principal line of motion disposed at an acute angle with respect to the principal plane of the flag. This will result in substantially continuous motion creating the simulated effect of a flag waving in a breeze.

It will be understood that where flags of other nations, or of various organizations are concerned the specific arrangement of pieces will depend to a great degree upon the design or heraldry carried by the flag, and where necessary, as in the case where flags are pennant shaped, some of the elements may be of nonrectangular configuration.

I wish it to be understood that I do not consider the invention to be limited to the precise details of structure shown and set forth in this specification, for obvious modifications will occur to those skilled in the art to which the present invention relates.

l claim:

l. An articulated flag construction comprising: a mobilelikekv assembly of substantially rectangular planar members, a horizontally disposed main support member, a plurality of elongated links interconnecting the plurality of said planar members individually to said horizontal member in such manner that each of said planar members is capable of independent pivotal movement about a vertical axis with respect to said main support member; said planar members, in coplanar relation forming a substantially continuous display area; a second plurality of planar members, at least one supplemental horizontally disposed support member, a vertical link interconnecting said supplemental support member to said main support member, and additional vertical links interconnecting each of said second plurality of planar members to said supplemental support members for both pivotal and orbital movement relative to said main support member, said plurality of planar members forming a second substantially continuous display area when in coplanar condition.

2. Structure in accordance with claim l, including a third plurality of planar members each having an upper horizontal edge, and elongated link means interconnecting each of said upper edges to a lower edge of one of said second plurality of planar members.

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1. An articulated flag construction comprising: a mobilelike assembly of substantially rectangular planar members, a horizontally disposed main support member, a plurality of elongated links interconnecting the plurality of said planar members individually to said horizontal member in such manner that each of said planar members is capable of independent pivotal movement about a vertical axis with respect to said main support member; said planar members, in coplanar relation forming a substAntially continuous display area; a second plurality of planar members, at least one supplemental horizontally disposed support member, a vertical link interconnecting said supplemental support member to said main support member, and additional vertical links interconnecting each of said second plurality of planar members to said supplemental support members for both pivotal and orbital movement relative to said main support member, said plurality of planar members forming a second substantially continuous display area when in coplanar condition.
 2. Structure in accordance with claim 1, including a third plurality of planar members each having an upper horizontal edge, and elongated link means interconnecting each of said upper edges to a lower edge of one of said second plurality of planar members. 